Bicycle Austin forum

Darron

Member

Registered: 2014-05-22

Posts: 131

183 North Mobility Project Open House

WHAT: 183 North Mobility Project Open House
WHEN: Tuesday, July 8th, 2014 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Westwood High School (cafeteria), 12400 Mellow Meadow, Austin, TX 78750

The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (Mobility Authority) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) invite you to attend an Open House to learn more about their efforts to determine the best options for managing congestion, as well as providing a reliable transit route and facilitating reliable emergency response along the eight-mile segment of US 183 between SH 45 North and MoPac.

www.183North.com

This project's scope includes pedestrian and cycling facilities so if you have an interest in the North 183 corridor please come and give your input.  I for one will give feedback on improving cycling facilities in this corridor.

D

Darron

Member

Registered: 2014-05-22

Posts: 131

Re: 183 North Mobility Project Open House

Short update and another open house March 5th.

More than $5 million proposed for bicycle and pedestrian enhancements
You spoke up, and we heard you! Many of the public comments received have urged the team to consider bicycle and pedestrian improvements as part of the 183 North Mobility Project. As part of the Express Lanes alternative, the project team is proposing more than $5 million in enhancements to bicycle and pedestrian facilities in the corridor, including two shared use path segments connecting existing bike lanes parallel to the US 183 corridor, sidewalks along each frontage road where none currently exist and cross street connections for bicycles.

WHAT: 183 North Mobility Project Open House
WHEN: Thursday, March 5th, 2015 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
WHERE: Westwood High School (cafeteria), 12400 Mellow Meadow, Austin, TX 78750

Attendees will be able to review and provide comments on the preliminary design of the Express Lanes concept, which will include more than $5 million in enhancements to bicycle and pedestrian accommodations in the corridor. In addition, the project proposes upgrading the existing US 183 North by extending the fourth non-tolled general purpose lane through areas where only three exist now. This enhancement is designed to address bottlenecks in the corridor and provide a total of four non-tolled general purpose lanes in each direction continuously between MoPac and SH 45 North.

Project team members will be available to answer questions and provide information. No formal presentation will be given. Attendees are invited to come-and-go at their convenience.

If you are unable to attend the Open House or would prefer to learn more about the 183 North Mobility Project online, find a time that works for you and visit our Virtual Open House from March 6th – March 16th at www.183North.com. You’ll have access to the same materials and information available at the Open House, and you can submit official comments or ask questions.

Darron

Member

Registered: 2014-05-22

Posts: 131

Re: 183 North Mobility Project Open House

Thanks to anyone who participated in the public feedback sessions.  The message was heard loud and clear that continually expanding the number of car lanes is not the only answer:

PROPOSED BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS
The Express Lanes Alternative includes more than $5 million in upgrades to provide safe connectivity for bicyclists and pedestrians throughout the corridor, including:
• Sidewalks both northbound and southbound from RM 620/SH 45N to Loop 360
• Shared Use Paths to connect bike lanes on:
• Jollyville Road to Pond Springs Road
• Pond Springs Road to Lake Creek Parkway
• Cross street connections for bicyclists at every roadway crossing under US 183 North from Pecan Park to Great Hills Trail

Improvements would close existing gaps to provide a network of continuous bike lanes available to bicyclists traveling between SH 45N and MoPac, while pedestrians would have a network of continuous sidewalks between SH 45N and Loop 360.

http://www.183north.com/Station5-BikeandPed_032015.pdf

Darron

Member

Registered: 2014-05-22

Posts: 131

Re: 183 North Mobility Project Open House

May 2015 Updates via email

Sixty comments and questions were submitted during the official comment period online, by mail or in person at the Open House. These comments are extremely valuable and will be used by the project team as they continue to refine the Express Lanes Alternative. Here are some of the common themes we heard:
Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodations: Eighteen of you shared comments in support of the more than $5 million investment in bicycle and pedestrian accommodations proposed as part of the Express Lanes Alternative. You encouraged us to consider installing signage at driveways, providing shade and lighting, and connecting to other bicycle and pedestrian facilities near the project. Several community members expressed a desire for even more accommodations.

The results of the 183 North Mobility Project Open House Community Survey are in, and we wanted to take the opportunity to share some highlights with you.

When we asked what you like about the proposed bicycle and pedestrian accommodations, you answered with overwhelming support for the bicycle and pedestrian accommodations included in the proposed 183 North Mobility Project. You encouraged us to consider bike racks near bus stops.
We asked what more we could do to improve bicycle and pedestrian accommodations. You let us know that paths should be separated with barriers where possible, well-lit, shaded and as protected as possible from traffic.

Again, thanks for everyone who gave input in person or by email.  It's amazing how the conversations have changed from just 5 years ago where cycling was an after thought (if thought of at all).

MichaelBluejay

Webmaster

From: Austin, TX

Registered: 2008-05-26

Posts: 1,466

Website

Re: 183 North Mobility Project Open House

Darron, I just wanted to thank you for being on top of this and for keeping us all in the loop.  I know nobody's posted any comments, but I'm sure many people are following your reports.  I certainly am.  And of course, thank you for pushing for bikes to be included in this project, which benefits us all.  (And thanks also to everyone who submitted comments requesting bike accommodations.)

Jack

Member

Registered: 2013-03-27

Posts: 344

Re: 183 North Mobility Project Open House

Second

Darron

Member

Registered: 2014-05-22

Posts: 131

Re: 183 North Mobility Project Open House

No problem.  I'm just excited to have an alternative to Parmer that is specifically designed for cycling.  Parmer is great (especially north of 1431) but anyone who has ridden into it Austin can tell you safety is a big issue even after the recent "bike lane" striping.  Connecting the disparate bike lanes on Pond Springs, Jollyville, Duval, Braker, Anderson Mill, and Lake Creek will go a long way to encourage cycling commuters in this area.  Lake Creek will also provide connections to Lakeline Blvd where there is an opportunity to connect to the rail station and a path north on Staked Plains that can connect up to the 183A shared use path.  That would mean a cycling route from Leander to 360 that would contain a significant proportion of off street path and/or clearly designated bike lanes.

I for one can't wait!

Darron